Solarisation - Practical Information

Solarisation is a soil disinfection method consisting of covering a moistened soil with a thin transparent plastic film, for 4-6 weeks during the part of the year with the highest sun radiation and temperatures. Solarisation in-creases soil temperature and produces changes in the microbial soil community as well as the chemical and physical properties of the soil. It is a method commonly used in the greenhouses of Southern European count-ries in summer, with the aim of ‘enhancing’ the health of the soil for the next crop, at the same time reducing the level of harmful soilborne pests.